Ding Junhui

Ni hao. Wo-duh ming-d'zih Small Talk.

[Bemused silence].

[Almost apologetically] It's meant to be Mandarin ...

Ding's translator: I know, but I didn't catch the second part. Can you repeat?

Ni hao. Wo-duh ming-d'zih Small Talk!

[More puzzled stares].

Ah, OK. English it is then. This is your first World Championships, so you must be a little nervous?

[Translator whispers question, Ding replies softly and shyly in Mandarin] Not at the moment, but come Sunday when I play Ronnie I'll be very excited. I used to watch him and Stephen Hendry on CCTV [that's Chinese TV, not the sort that catches yobs misbehaving] when I was very little, so to play at the Crucible is a dream come true.

Small Talk's stuck a few pennies on you at 14-1. Any chance you can deliver?

[Very softly] I will try my hardest. If I can get back my best touch, I have a chance.

Do you ever get recognised in your home town?

Not just in my home town, but every city in China.

Have you ever been mobbed by crowds of well-wishers?

[Smiles] Yes. Now, if there are lots of people about, I try to avoid them.

What's the strangest request you've had from a fan?

One time someone asked to shake my hand while I was using the toilet [suddenly starts laughing].

And did you?

Yes [More laughter]. But I made sure I washed my hands first.

You started playing snooker at eight. How long did it take you to score your first century?

I was 10. I was very excited, but I didn't go round punching the air or anything.

Most British players hone their game by bunking off school and spending hours in smoky snooker halls. How did you improve?

[Humbly] I should thank my father, because when I was young he moved me to another city so I could practice against stronger players. Then, when I came to the UK, my management team helped a lot too. I am very lucky, because there are lots of talented players in China but most haven't had the chances I've had.

How many hours a day do you practice?

Five or six.

Five or six?! That must get incredibly boring.

No.

So what do you think about when you're opponent is knocking ball after ball into the pockets?

Getting back to the table and how I'm going to win the frame.

Anything else?

No.

Who's the toughest opponent you've faced?

So far, Ronnie. He's such a good all-round player. Technically, he's incredible.

Right, on to the important stuff: cheese or chocolate?

[After an extraordinarily long discussion with his translator] No preference.

What's your favourite film?

Mr Bean.

But Mr Bean is a stupid Englishman ...

The acting is very good.

Gong Li or Ziyi Zhang

[Another long chat] I am too young to watch Gong Li and Ziyi Zhang's films, but I know of their work.

Fair enough. Another tricky one: 'Steady' Eddie Charlton or Cliff 'Grinder' Thorburn?

[Another utterly befuddled look, as if Small Talk is speaking Mandarin again, before Ding's manager explains that he was only born in 1987, so neither player means anything to him.]

What's your favourite food?

My mother's cooking.

Does she makes a mean chicken chow mein?

Every dish is delicious [laughs].

Most snooker players love playing poker. Have you ever burnt the midnight oil playing Texas hold 'em with Hendry and co?

[Ding doesn't wait for the translator, but responds in English] No, games. I have everything: a PC, Xbox360, PS3.

What's your favourite game? Grand Theft Auto? Halo? Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker on the Megadrive?

[Firmly] NBA Live 07.

Do you have any superstitions? A favourite pair of lucky socks, perhaps?

No.

Finally, can you tell us a joke? In December, I played in the Asian games for China [where Ding won gold medals in the individual, doubles and team events]. After one ceremony, a spectator excitedly shook my hand and said: "You played very well in table-tennis!" [Laughs].

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